Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Wisconsin
About 20 years ago we bought a camping time share at christmas mountain, wisc. dells, wisc. at that time we had a camper trailer but the price was to much for the program. another sales person came out and said we can buy at a very reduced price and still enjoy the camper traler section free. this was a good deal so we paid about $4000.00 for it. we used the pard about 2 years until it was sold to blue green company. at that time the rules changed and if we were to use the park it would be in the tent area. we pay $250.00 per year dues and taxes,etc. we pay this and now get nothing in return for our money. we have called and tried to resolve this but they say if we want to use the camper park we can only requist it 24 hours ahead of time. thats very hard to do.we decided we have paid them enough of our money with nothing in return. we stopped paying the $250 in 2009. now they have sent this to a collection company. what will happen if we don't pay this bill? how can they expect us to pay for something and get nothing in return? thank you, jeff
1 Answer from Attorneys
For some reason, I encounter a huge number of people in my law practice with severe financial problems or who are going bankrupt and have entered into timeshare contracts with this vendor and similar ones. Timeshares, particularly those for camping privileges, are often over sold by highly skilled, commissioned sales staff to gullible people who cannot afford them and who do not do the math required in order to compute their real value. You might wish to check with the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection about products of this nature or see the following link: http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/cp/consumerinfo/cp/factsheets/pdf/Timeshare&Resellers182;.pdf
My advice is that you immediately retain legal counsel to correspond with this vendor or, if you have other financial problems in addition to this one, to discuss a bankruptcy. A bankruptcy filing will get rid of your montly obligation totally. You also may have rights to sue in order to get part of your deposit back, if the rules change which you mention violated your contract. Since I have not reviewed your contract, I cannot offer any specific advice on it other than to let a lawyer review it. My response in this public web forum is intended for public educational purposes only and not intended to create an attorney client relationship between us. However, I would be more than happy to discuss possible representation with you via a private email or via the inquiry link on my private office website.